5 replies to this topic

[liam17582]

var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-2467371-6"); pageTracker._setCookiePath("/hostednews/"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); I Hear that Sussex, and Greater Manchester Police are taking a similar stance as well as some other forces.

New police recruits 'must work as volunteers'(UKPA) – 21 hours ago

Most new officers in the Metropolitan Police force will come from its pool of volunteer special constables under a recruitment overhaul which is being considered.

Other applicants will come from its body of Police Community Support Officers, or have law and policing qualifications, under the plans.

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is being asked to endorse the new guidelines to help save up to £2 million for every 100 appointments.

Currently, police recruits receive 25 weeks of training regardless of previous qualifications and on-the-job experience. They are paid a salary of around £23,000 during their first two years.

The Met's new model would see most new applicants working for 18 months as volunteers, also receiving other training opportunities.

According to a paper being considered by the MPA at a meeting on Thursday, this would save up to £20,000 per appointment thanks to lower salary costs. "Each 100 appointments through the new model releases between £1.2m and £2m cash savings from salary costs, depending upon the mix of MSC and others," it says.

The force's recruitment method would also change from "generic, lengthy ongoing campaigns" to "discrete, time-limited recruitment campaigns". "The proposal will result in significant cash savings, improve local service provision and provide participants with a range of transferable skills," the paper says.

Last year the Met recruited 2,000 new officers, taking its total complement to more than 31,000. But as public finances have came under pressure in recent months, scores of would-be constables have had their applications terminated.

The MPA paper says: "Applicants were informed of the benefits of joining the (special constabulary) in terms of developing transferable skills and improving their odds of success when police vacancies arose in the future."

PCSOs - who are not police officers and do not have powers of arrest - earn up to £26,000 a year. They are currently subject to a recruitment freeze, according to the Met Police. Similar new recruitment schemes are being considered by other UK forces including Surrey, Lancashire and Greater Manchester Police.

[trevor]

I think everyone has seen this coming lol. I think it's good news for all of us specials and may see our hard work and commitment pay of, if your wanting to join the job.

It may also have the wrong effects with potential good officers being lost who due to working commitments are unable to become police officers.

[Phelix27]

It may also have the wrong effects with potential good officers being lost who due to working commitments are unable to become police officers.

To be honest Trevor I think the Met et al are not going to preclude external candidates as well, least thats what I heard.

[jan8p]

Interesting idea...

[shinyboots]

I think the idea being banded around by the MET may fall foul eventually when you consider the amount of people it will exclude from becoming Police Officers!

It may make things a lot easier for individual forces when conducting recruitment campaigns but look at all the excluded occupations that applicants have to consider if they want to be a Special - HM Forces for example. Is it right that a serviceman/woman leaving the forces should be barred from the police selection process?

If Special Constables are to be given preferential status in future police recruiting then I hope some allowance is made for people who cannot become Specials in the first place.

[very special]

To be honest Trevor I think the Met et al are not going to preclude external candidates as well, least thats what I heard.

It's my understanding the Met intend to only recruit from their own Special Constables. There are quite a few threads in the main discussion forum.